More like a bathtub called Betty, but we loved her!
They show you how the boat works then give you the keys. Nothing at all about the 100 locks we have to go through. So we get around the corner and are confronted by this daunting sight...
Once your in and tied up, the gates close behind you and the gates infront open up hatches and torrents of water flood in. The lock fills up and the boat rises, once the level inside the lock is level with the water on the other side of the gate, the lock infront opens and you drive out on a canal 2-3m higher... Simple (in principal)
Simple, until you get 3 locks in a row that rise you 8m and there are 3 other bigger boats in there with you!
The first afternoon was a little stressful but by the end of the second day we had it down pat. Still hard work for the deckhand, the captain stayed on the boat and may have had it a little easier.
But the time between the locks (sometimes minutes, sometimes hours) was really relaxing!
Each night we would tie up to trees in different towns along the canal. Homps, Trebes, Carcassonne, Marseillite, Villesquelande, Paraza and Argens-Minervios.
This is the double walled city of Carcassonne, where we heard Jamiroquai play one night.
Paraza, the second last morning
Somewhere along the canal
But what i was most impressed with was when the canal crossed over rivers. They built bridges so that the boat could cross them...
I may have been so impressed I may have made Dom jump off several times and run ahead so she could take photos..
On atleast one side of every canal there was a towpath where the horse used to pull the boat along (before engines), but where they got to a river or valley crossing there was nowhere for the horses so they built them bridges!
And some other photos from the week
The windscreens and the roof opened up which kept the boat cool
The canal was built for 30m boats, ones this size drive into the locks and are wedged. Lots of the old cargo boats this size have been made into passenger boats with crew... Lazy holidayers!
Skipper Dom at the helm
Me doing what Dom did best (most). I cant complain, she worked hard when she had to..
'Locking up'
Thank you thank you thank you. Happy to "see" you two again, photos and your descriptions are great. And you appear to be enjoying every minute. Enjoy your last weeks.
ReplyDeleteC & R
You look very tanned dom!
ReplyDeleteDont get the locking up stuff though!
xx Bellie
Damn right i worked hard!
ReplyDeleteCaptain Jake's duties - drive the boat
Deckie Dom's duties - fend off the boat when the captains driving is slightly off, jump off the boat from great lengths when the captain cant get close enough (almost having to army roll a few times!), pull the boat towards the shore, tie off the boat (think im a bit of a pro at this now), hold the boat from going towards the lock doors when the water comes rushing in (my muscles have doubled in size!), fix up the ropes and prepare for the next lock, preparing the captains breakfast and lunch everday and cleaning up afterwards. Then there was the driving while the captain did what i do best (i mean most!) haha!!!
Funnily enough i didnt have the energy to cook dinner as well...i left that up to the captain.
And a very good captain at that. Probably the best on the canal...and there were some shockers e.g. being sideways in a lock is not a good thing!
One of the best experiences we've have had over here!
looks wicked guys. plenty of work going over here for experienced deckies and captains. cam
ReplyDeletePhotos are fabulous and they show how hard you worked too Dom!! Thats one experience I'd really love to try...the canal shots are amazing. Good to see you both looking so well and 'holiday-like'!! Enjoy portugal and spain.
ReplyDeleteGreg said,
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable . Those shady canal shots are beautiful . Thanks for giving us an update on Cam too. Awesome trip. The stories , memories and photos will last you both a lifetime tho you'll probably do bits and pieces of it again sometime as well. I've got to google earth that canal.
Greg said,
ReplyDeleteForgot to back u up , Dom ! Jake , you're a meanie !
At one point along the canal there was a road right alongside. If you use a combination of Google Satelite and Google Streetview where 'Rue Georges Guille' in Carcassonne crosses over the canal you can sort of see 3 locks with holding pens inbetween (where boats going in opposite directions could pass). Its a shame the Google car didnt drive passed when there were boats in the locks.
ReplyDeleteAnd just passed the 'top' lock, the canal crosses over the Aude river on an aquaduct. All very cool stuff.
And if you zoom out to see all of Carcassonne in Satelite mode, the kidney shape surrounded by grass on the south-west side is the doubled walled city of the original Carcassonne. Also very cool.
Nan (Joan) saw the latest photos and wants to say she is very glad you both are having such a great time and that Lelo hasn't done what you've done on the canal boat trip (has been on a bigger boat driven by someone else though)
ReplyDelete